Dynamic allocation of communication resources in a wireless system

ABSTRACT

A method of receiving information by a wireless communication device is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, wherein an interval duration of the periodic interval is greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes. The method further includes determining for each wireless subframe of the plurality whether the wireless subframe includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of a plurality of selectively assignable resource unit patterns of resource units of the subframe includes information for the communication device. A method of transmitting information by the wireless communication device is also provided.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates generally to communication systems and methods, and more specifically, to systems and method for dynamic allocation of communication resources.

2. Related Art

Conventional communication systems involve a user equipment communicating with base stations using uplink and downlink channels. User equipments, such as mobile phones, PDAs, or other types of mobile devices have limited battery power. Conservation of the battery power is an important objective in implementing communication systems. Various techniques are used in such communication systems to conserve power. For example, the eNodeB scheduler, coupled to one more base stations, may schedule certain communication resources for a particular user equipment. The user equipment may then need to listen to a control channel at only those times for which it is scheduled to receive or transmit on a shared communication channel. At other times, the user equipment may go to sleep and thus conserve power. In conventional communication systems, however, the scheduling of communication resources is not frequency selective. Instead, the user equipment in response to a scheduling request is granted a particular communication resource associated with a certain frequency.

The inability of conventional communication systems to allocate frequency resources dynamically results in sub-optimal performance. For example, the eNodeB scheduler may fail to schedule a particular user equipment for use of a frequency resource that results in maximum gain for that particular user equipment. Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for dynamic allocation of communication resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary communication system;

FIG. 2 shows exemplary set of messages that may be exchanged between a user equipment and other devices in the exemplary communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows exemplary subframes being transmitted on an uplink transmission and a downlink transmission;

FIG. 4 shows exemplary details of the subframes of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows exemplary details of the subframes of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method of communicating information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a method of receiving information by a wireless communication device is provided. The method includes receiving a first subframe of information by the communication device at a first time, the first subframe indicating an occurrence of a second subframe to be received at a second time occurring subsequently. The method further includes receiving the second subframe of information by the communication device at the second time, the second subframe including first control channel resource elements and first shared channel resource elements conveyed by a first plurality of subcarrier frequencies over a first plurality of time slots, each of the first shared channel resource elements being defined by a single time slot of the first plurality of time slots and a single subcarrier frequency of the first plurality of subcarrier frequencies of the first subframe, the wireless communication device decoding at least one of the first control channel resource elements to determine if the first control channel resource elements include a grant resource that indicates that a resource element pattern of the first shared channel resource elements includes information directed for the wireless communication device, the resource element pattern being of a first plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of the first shared channel resource elements.

The method further includes receiving a third subframe of information by the communication device at a third time, the third time being subsequent to the second time, the third subframe including second control channel resource elements and second shared channel resource elements conveyed by a second plurality of subcarrier frequencies over a second plurality of time slots, each of the second shared channel resource elements being defined by a single time slot of the second plurality of time slots and a single subcarrier frequency of the second plurality of subcarrier frequencies of the third subframe, the wireless communication device decoding at least one of the second control channel resource elements to determine if the second control channel resource elements includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource element pattern of the second shared channel resource elements includes information directed for the wireless communication device, the resource element pattern being of a second plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of the second shared channel resource elements, wherein the second time and the third time are separated by a first time interval, the first time interval is greater than a duration of the second subframe and greater than a duration of the third subframe.

In another aspect, a method of receiving information by a wireless communication device is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, wherein an interval duration of the periodic interval is greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes. The method further includes determining for each wireless subframe of the plurality whether the wireless subframe includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of a plurality of selectively assignable resource unit patterns of resource units of the subframe includes information for the communication device.

In yet another aspect, a method of transmitting information is provided. The method includes transmitting a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, wherein each of the plurality of wireless subframes is intended to be received by a wireless communication device, wherein an interval duration of the periodic interval is greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes, each subframe of the plurality of wireless subframes including a plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns, each subframe of the plurality of wireless subframes including a plurality of grant resources, wherein if a subframe includes information for the wireless communication device, a grant resource of the plurality of grant resources indicates which resource element pattern of the plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of that subframe includes information for the wireless communication device.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary communication system 100. Exemplary communication system 100 may be a 4G mobile communication system or any other communication system in which a scheduler is used to allocate resources to mobile devices. Exemplary communication system 100 may include user equipments (103 and 105, for example), which may communicate with base stations (109, 111, and 113, for example). User equipment 103 may be a wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or any other wireless device. Each base station may serve multiple user equipments. Communication system 100 may further include an evolved NODE-B (also referred to as an eNode-B) 107 including a scheduler. eNode-B 107 may be coupled to several base stations and may control one or more base stations. eNodeB 107 may be configured to allocate resources among control and data channels for both uplink and downlink transmissions. As used herein, uplink transmissions are transmissions from UEs (103, for example) to base stations (111, for example) and downlink transmissions are from base stations (111, for example) to UEs (103, for example). eNode-B 107 may schedule resources for UEs based on currently available resources (subcarriers and time slots, for example), channel quality, UE capabilities, type of data transfer, quality of service requirements, and/or other constraints, eNode-B 107 and UEs may communicate using 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular technology. The physical layer corresponding to LTE may employ orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) techniques and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques.

FIG. 2 shows exemplary set of messages that may be exchanged between a user equipment and other devices in the exemplary communication system of FIG. 1. By way of example, UE 105 may send a scheduling request via message 201 to eNode-B 107. In response to the scheduling request, at time t=0, eNode-B 107 may respond via message 203 by providing a downlink grant (DL Grant [Dynamic Frequency Resource]) and an uplink grant (UL Grant [One-time Time Persistent, Dynamic Frequency Resource]) to UE 105. At a later time, for example, at time t=1 ms, UE 105 may decode downlink voice grant and measure channel feedback information (CFI). At a later time, for example, at time t=2 ms, UE 105 may decode downlink data grant and decode data in case of a data grant. At a later time, for example, at time t=3 ms, UE 105 may transmit via message 205, voice and send control information, such as CFI and Ack/Nack to eNode-B 107. Between time t=4 ms and time t=20 ms, to conserve power, UE 105 may be turned off or may be switched into a low power mode. UE 105 may include various circuitry, such as receiving circuitry and user interface circuitry. In one embodiment, only the receiving circuitry may be turned off or put into low power mode. At time t=20 ms, UE 105 may receive via message 207 a downlink grant (DL Grant [Dynamic Frequency Resource]) and an uplink grant (UL Grant [One-time Time Persistent, Dynamic Frequency Resource]) from eNode-B 107. At a later time, UE 105 may decode downlink voice grant and measure channel feedback information (CFI). At a later time, UE 105 may decode downlink data grant and decode data in case of a data channel grant. At a later time, for example, at time t=23 ms, UE 105 may transmit via message 209, voice and send control information, such as CFI and Ack/Nack to eNode-B 107. Although FIG. 2 shows a specific sequence of messages, other sequences of messages could also be used. Moreover, although FIG. 2 shows specific messages being exchanged, other messages may also be exchanged.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary subframes being transmitted on an uplink transmission and a downlink transmission between a wireless communication device, for example UE 103 and a scheduler, for example, eNode-B 107. UE 103 may receive a subframe 301. Consistent with one embodiment, subframe 301 may be a subframe of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) frame and thus may be 1 ms in duration. Subframe 301 may have a structure consistent with the LTE or any other suitable frame structure. Subframe 301 may include resource elements, described further with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. Subframe 301 may include a portion 313, including resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. The remaining portion of subframe 301 may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Subframe 301 may also indicate a second subframe to be received at a second time occurring subsequently. In one embodiment, UE 103 thereby receives a persistent or a semi-persistent grant.

In one embodiment, subsequent to the receipt of subframe 301, the UE (105 of FIG. 1, for example) may receive subframe 319. Subframe 319 may include a portion 321, including resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. These resource elements may convey information regarding the downlink data grant. The remaining portion of subframe 319 may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The resource elements may be selectively assigned based on any pattern. By way of example, the second subframe may include control channel resource elements (for example, PDCCH related resource elements) and shared channel resource elements (for example, PDSCH related resource elements) conveyed by a plurality of subcarrier frequencies over a plurality of time slots, each of the shared channel resource elements may be defined by a single time slot of the plurality of time slots and a single subcarrier frequency of the plurality of subcarrier frequencies of the subframe. Grant resources, such as downlink data grants may provide information to a UE, such as UE 103, indication as to which resource element pattern of a plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of a particular subframe include information for that UE.

The UE may decode at least one of the control channel resource elements to determine if the control channel resource elements include a grant resource that indicates that a resource element pattern of the shared channel resource elements includes information directed for the wireless communication device. The UE may also decode the resource element pattern of the shared channel resource elements to obtain information regarding a voice call, for example.

At a subsequent time, an interval t₁ following the receipt of subframe 301, UE 103 may receive another subframe 303. Subframe 303 may also include resource elements, described further with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. Subframe 303 may include a portion 315, including resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. The remaining portion of subframe 303 may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). As explained above with respect to subframes 301 and 319, subsequent to receipt of subframe 303, the UE may receive another subframe (not shown) including a portion similar to portion 321. This portion may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. These resource elements may convey information regarding the downlink data grant. The remaining portion of this subframe may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The resource elements may be selectively assigned based on any pattern. By way of example, the third subframe may include control channel resource elements (for example, PDCCH related resource elements) and shared channel resource elements (for example, PDSCH related resource elements) conveyed by a plurality of subcarrier frequencies over a plurality of time slots, each of the shared channel resource elements may be defined by a single time slot of the plurality of time slots and a single subcarrier frequency of the plurality of subcarrier frequencies of the subframe. The UE may decode at least one of the control channel resource elements to determine if the control channel resource elements include a grant resource that indicates that a resource element pattern of the shared channel resource elements includes information directed for the UE. The resource element pattern may be of a plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of the shared channel resource elements. Additionally and/or alternatively, the resource element pattern may be any one of the patterns discussed above and/or below with respect to subframe 301.

At a subsequent time, an interval t₁ following the receipt of subframe 303, UE 103 may receive another subframe 305. Subframe 305 may also include resource elements, described further with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. Subframe 305 may include a portion 317, including resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. The remaining portion of subframe 305 may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

UE 103 may transmit subframes 307, 309, and 311 on the uplink transmission link as a result of persistent uplink grant. Although not shown in FIG. 3, each of subframes 307, 309, and 311 may be followed by a subframe including data mapped to the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). In one embodiment, the UE may transmit subframe 307 at a time between the first time (the first time interval t₁) and the second time (the second time interval t₁). The third subframe (311, for example) may include a channel quality indicator. UE 103 may also transmit subframe 309 including shared channel resource elements including selectively assignable resource element patterns. Indeed, any of the resource element patterns explained above and/or below with respect to downlink grants may be used for uplink grants, as well. The UE may transmit subframe 309 at a time between the second time and a third time. The UE may transmit information concerning a voice call, for example, as part of these subframes.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary details of the subframes of FIG. 3, including resource element patterns. Subframe 301 may include a portion 313, including resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. By way of example, FIG. 4 shows resource elements corresponding to PDCCH being mapped on all of the resource elements corresponding to the first three OFDM symbols. The remaining portion of subframe 301 may include resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). FIG, 4 shows resource elements corresponding to a row 401 of resource elements being mapped to physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The resource element pattern may be one of a plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of the shared channel resource elements (patterns of PDSCH resource elements, for example). The selectively assignable resource element patterns may include resource elements defined by a single subcarrier frequency of a plurality of subcarrier frequencies. Alternatively and/or additionally, the selectively assignable resource element patterns may include resource elements defined by a single subcarrier frequency of a plurality of subcarrier frequencies across all time slots of the shared channel resource elements. Although FIG. 4 shows resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to the first three OFDM symbols, they may be mapped to up to fewer or more OFDM symbols.

Referring still to FIG. 4, subframe 307 may include resource elements mapped to physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The resource elements mapped to the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) are shown by symbol D.

FIG. 5 shows exemplary details of the subframes of FIG. 3, including additional resource element patterns. Subframe 303 may include a portion 315, including resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to up to the first three OFDM symbols. FIG. 5 shows resource elements mapped in a frequency hopped fashion (501) to physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Although FIG. 5 shows a specific frequency hopped mapping any other suitable mapping may also be used. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary resource element pattern may include a resource element defined by a first subcarrier frequency of a first plurality of subcarrier frequencies at a first time slot of a first plurality of time slots and no resource elements defined by a second subcarrier frequency of the first plurality of subcarrier frequencies at the first time slot, and a second resource element defined by the second subcarrier frequency of the first plurality of subcarrier frequencies at a second time slot of the first plurality of time slots and no resource element defined by the first subcarrier frequency at the second time slot. Although FIG. 5 shows resource elements corresponding to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) mapped to the first three OFDM symbols, they may be mapped to up to fewer or more OFDM symbols.

Referring still to FIG. 5, subframe 309 may include resource elements mapped to physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), demodulation modulation reference signal (DMRS), and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The resource elements mapped to the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) are shown by symbol D.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method of communicating information by a wireless communication device, such as anyone of UEs 103 and 105 of FIG. 1. As part of step 601, UE 103 may receive a first subframe (301 of FIG. 3, for example). As explained above with respect to FIG. 3, subframe 301 may include a first control channel resource elements (resource elements corresponding to portion 313, for example) and first shared channel resource elements (any of the resource elements in the remaining portion of subframe 301, for example). The resource elements may be conveyed by subcarriers corresponding to an OFDMA signal, for example. In one embodiment, resource elements may be conveyed by subcarrier frequencies at each time slot of a plurality of time slots. The resource elements corresponding to the physical shared data channel may have any pattern, for example, a row of resource elements may correspond to the physical shared data channel. Alternatively, a frequency hopped pattern of resource elements may correspond to the physical shared data channel. By way of example, the first shared channel resource elements may be defined by a single time slot of the first plurality of time slots and a single subcarrier frequency of the first plurality of subcarrier frequencies of the first subframe.

As part of step 603, UE 103 may receive a second subframe (303 of FIG. 3, for example). As explained above with respect to FIG. 3, subframe 303 may include a first control channel resource elements (resource elements corresponding to portion 313, for example) and first shared channel resource elements (any of the resource elements in the remaining portion of subframe 303, for example).

As part of step 605, UE 103 may receive a third subframe (305 of FIG. 3, for example). As explained above with respect to FIG. 3, subframe 305 may include a first control channel resource elements (resource elements corresponding to portion 313, for example) and first shared channel resource elements (any of the resource elements in the remaining portion of subframe 305, for example).

Some of the above embodiments, as applicable, may be implemented using a variety of different information processing systems. For example, although FIG. 1 and the discussion thereof describe an exemplary communication system, this exemplary communication system is presented merely to provide a useful reference in discussing various aspects of the invention. Of course, the description of the communication system has been simplified for purposes of discussion, and it is just one of many different types of appropriate communication systems that may be used in accordance with the invention. In addition, although the invention is described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.

The term “coupled,” as used herein, is not intended to be limited to a direct coupling or a mechanical coupling.

Furthermore, the terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an.” The same holds true for the use of definite articles.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. 

1.-14. (canceled)
 15. A method of receiving information by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, wherein an interval duration of the periodic interval is greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes; and determining for each wireless subframe of the plurality whether the wireless subframe includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of a plurality of selectively assignable resource unit patterns of resource units of the subframe includes information for the communication device.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: receiving an earlier wireless subframe before the receiving the plurality of wireless subframes, the earlier wireless subframe including a grant resource providing an indication of the interval duration.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein: prior to the receiving of each of the plurality of wireless subframes, the method further including placing receiving circuitry of the wireless communication device in the operating mode; and subsequent to the receiving of each of the plurality wireless subframes and before receiving the next wireless subframe of the plurality of wireless subframes, placing the receiving circuitry in a low power mode.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein: when a wireless subframe of the plurality includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of a plurality of selectively assignable resource unit patterns of resource units of the subframe includes information for the communication device, then decoding the resource unit pattern to obtain information; and where the information obtained is for a single voice call.
 19. A method of transmitting information, the method comprising: transmitting a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, wherein each of the plurality of wireless subframes is intended to be received by a wireless communication device, wherein an interval duration of the periodic interval is greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes, each subframe of the plurality of wireless subframes including a plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns, each subframe of the plurality of wireless subframes including a plurality of grant resources; wherein when a subframe includes information for the wireless communication device, a grant resource of the plurality of grant resources indicates which resource element pattern of the plurality of selectively assignable resource element patterns of that subframe includes information for the wireless communication device.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: transmitting an earlier wireless subframe before the transmitting the plurality of wireless subframes, the earlier wireless subframe including an indication of the periodic interval.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein a first resource pattern of the plurality of selectively assignable resource patterns includes information for a first wireless communication device and not for a second wireless communication device and a second resource pattern of the plurality of selectively assignable resource patterns includes information for the second wireless communication device and not the first wireless communication device.
 22. A method of receiving information by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving a first subframe by the communication device at a first time, the first subframe indicating a second subframe to be received after a first time interval occurring subsequently, the first time interval having a greater duration than the first subframe and the second subframe; and receiving the second subframe by the communication device at the second time, the second subframe including one or more first control channel resource elements and one or more first shared channel resource elements.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the indication of the second subframe comprises an indication of a subcarrier frequency.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the indication of the second subframe comprises an indication of a time slot.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more first shared channel resource elements are defined by at least a single time slot and a single subcarrier frequency.
 26. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the one or more first control channel resource elements comprises a grant resource.
 27. A method of receiving information by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving a first subframe by the communication device at a first time, the first subframe indicating a second subframe to be received after a first time interval occurring subsequently, the first time interval having a greater duration than the first subframe and the second subframe; and responsive to receiving the second subframe, determining whether the second subframe includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of the subframe includes information for the communication device.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication of the second subframe comprises an indication of a subcarrier frequency.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication of the second subframe comprises an indication of a time slot.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the resource unit pattern is selected from a plurality of resource unit patterns.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the resource unit pattern is based at least on one or more subcarrier frequencies and time slots.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first time interval comprises a fixed value.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the first time interval comprises a dynamically determined value.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein the grant resource comprises one or more resources allocated for a voice call.
 35. A wireless communication device, the wireless communication device comprising: a wireless transceiver; a processor; and a computer readable apparatus having a storage medium with at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program configured to, when executed on the processor: receive a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, an interval duration of the periodic interval being greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes; and for each wireless subframe of the plurality of wireless subframes, determine whether the each wireless subframe includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of the subframe includes information for the communication device.
 36. The wireless communication device of claim 35, wherein the grant resource comprises one or more resources allocated for a voice call. 